Dennis Zmolek

Dennis Zmolek, age 86, of Marshalltown, passed away on November 16, 2025.

Dennis Fredric Zmolek, was born on December 26, 1938 near Chelsea, Iowa to Emanuel and Violet (Upah) Zmolek. Dennis attended elementary school in Tama and Toledo and graduated from Toledo High School in 1956. He went on to receive a degree in mechanical engineering in 1962 from the State University of Iowa. Following graduation, Dennis began a 38-year career with Fisher Governor Company with employment in Marshalltown and Coraopolis, PA. He concluded his working career in 1999 as Director of Manufacturing Engineering for Emerson Process Management.

In 1958, Dennis married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Doyle of Toledo. To this union were born four children, Mark, Denise, Mitchell and Dana. Dennis enjoyed a wide range of sports including football, basketball, golf and handball. He was very competitive in the game of handball which yielded many friends in Iowa as well as Pennsylvania. He became a loyal Steeler football fan while in the Pittsburgh area. Dennis enjoyed the outdoors, pitching horseshoes and playing cards with his family and friends. He loved to tell his grandchildren stories that were far fetched but based on a small amount of fact. He took his Christianity and Catholic religion very seriously and loved to explore the motivations of life and the role humans play in their relationship with one another.

The desire to grow vegetables was a passionate endeavor for Dennis. Each year a large crop was produced which was canned and shared with family and friends. Grandchildren claimed his pickles were the very best. Family fishing ventures were yearly events. He was a very active person and lived by the slogan, “If you keep going, you keep going.” In retirement, Dennis pursued his gardening hobby and obtained a Master Gardening Certification. He placed his emphasis on introducing children to the wonders of growing in both the city and at Pilgrim Heights Camp and Retreat Center. He was an active volunteer and leader in his church, the Community Y and Elmwood Country Club. He headed up the YMCA board receiving a number of recognitions for his efforts including the YMCA Ryden Service Award and the Clyde McEntire Service Award from the Elmwood Country Club. Dennis was instrumental in the formation of endowment giving structures at the Community Y and St. Mary Catholic Church.

He is survived by Sandy, his loving wife of 67 years; four children, Mark (Nancy) Zmolek of Urbandale, Denise (Tim) Skuster of Salt Lake City, Mitchell Zmolek of Mt. Vernon and Dana Foster of Dike; grandchildren, Chelsea Collins, Abby Zmolek, Megan Skuster, Garrett Skuster, Clair Zmolek, Hedy Zmolek, Jaxson Foster, Ellie Foster, and Payton Foster; great-granddaughters, Rainey Blue Skuster and Sloane Collins. He is also survived by his brother, Douglas (Cindy) Zmolek of West Des Moines as well as many nieces and nephews and other family members. Preceding him in death is a granddaughter, Sara Skuster of Salt Lake City; his father, Emanuel Zmolek and mother, Violet Zmolek.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown. A private rosary service will be held for the family on Thursday, November 20. A visitation for family and friends will take place from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.